Monte Albán - Hill J

(Local Name: Monticulo J) The fourth isolated building is called Monticulo J (Hill J). This interesting site is the only one which does not fit the symmetry of the entire complex, as it stands at an angle of 45° to the remaining buildings. The shape of the construction is also unusual; its ground plan resembles an arrowhead with the steps forming the blunt end. A vaulted tunnel, which crosses the front part, leads upwards. Such tunnels in Meso-American buildings were designed primarily to enable observation of the heavens, though strangely enough the sky is completely invisible from this tunnel. Stone slabs on the walls of the wide side show figures and hieroglyphics recording clearly successful conquests of towns. It is assumed that most of this building was erected some time before the birth of Christ, i.e. towards the end of the Monte Albán II period.